Nellie MckayGet Away From Me

The hype on Nellie McKay is that she can do it all. The multitalented NYC-bred 19-year-old apparently has a vast musical palette, dabbling in various musical styles on her debut record (a double no less), from 50s-era torch singer to street-wise hip-hop MC. While its obvious that she is a gifted jazz pianist and promising songwriter, Get Away From Me actually suffers from the jarring effect of McKays decision to cram her varied musical tastes on to one album. Its one thing to have sultry jazz numbers precede stompy, rap songs but McKay ups the ante with her profane lyrics and mellow-to-caustic singing style. A case in point occurs on "Wont U Please B Nice where, accompanied by a traditional jazz shuffle, a cutesy McKay puts her Audrey Hepburn on only to purr about slitting a lovers throat and closing the song by warning, "Give me head or youll be dead. This is followed by the cranky "Inner Peace, a violent rant that McKay speak-raps over a dramatic piano-led salsa rhythm that doesnt quite work. Though many of her songs contain endearing arrangements and thoughtful, empowering lyrics, too often McKay succumbs to Eminem-style shock-pop tactics that seem forced or unnecessary. This tendency coupled with the breadth of Get Away From Me makes it a difficult listen from an obviously talented and ambitious young singer-songwriter.
(Columbia)